If we get thorns and thistles in our yard, we are displeased and consider them a nuisance. If we see a thistle in the wild, it can be a real beauty, as I think this one is!

It's interesting that in 1869 Hans Christian Anderson wrote a nice little tale about the thistle, called "The Thistle’s Experiences." In that story, one of the characters calls the thistle, 'the flower of Scotland.' If you would like to read this short story, go here: http://hca.gilead.org.il/thistles.html